Appointments and Resignations
Unconfirmed Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Who Is Jacqueline Berrien?
President Obama has turned to a veteran civil rights attorney, Jacqueline A. Berrien, to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an independent agency responsible for eliminating all forms of discrimination in the workplace. Although she... read more
Director of the National Institutes of Health: Who is Francis Collins?
Francis S. Collins brings one of the more eclectic, and highly regarded, profiles to the Obama administration as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A leading figure in the completion of the Human Genome Project, which is consider... read more
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment: Who is Harris Sherman?
Having had his first pick (Homer Wilkes) back out as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, President Barack Obama turned to Harris Sherman, Colorado’s longtime natural resources chief. Sherman... read more
Ambassador to The Netherlands: Who is Fay Hartog Levin?
Yet another Chicagoan tapped by President Barack Obama, Fay Hartog Levin is a longtime Democratic activist and fundraiser and an early supporter of the president’s who also has family roots in the Netherlands. Levin was sworn in August 13, 2009, a... read more
Airport Security Leadership Still Vacant: Who is Erroll Southers?
A former police officer and FBI agent, Erroll Southers has spent the last several years helping run security for one of the world’s busiest airports—Los Angeles International — while also teaching classes and working at an anti-terrorism center fo... read more
Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration: Who Is Eric Schwartz?
With refugee crises unfolding on every inhabited continent, the State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration has its work cut out for it. New Bureau Director Eric P. Schwartz, who was confirmed June 19, 2009, has broad experience ... read more
After a Year as President, Obama Has Yet to Nominate Head of Medicare or Under Secretary for Food Safety
When it comes to government programs that provide medical care and inspect food, the White House has been slow to appoint leaders. A year into the Obama administration and the $450-billion Medicare program is without someone to run it, leaving the... read more
Ambassador to Hungary: Who is Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis?
Sometimes a political contributor can give handsomely to the losing side and still come out a winner. Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis is one such example. Daughter of a real estate tycoon and California political player, Tsakopoulos Kounalakis raised... read more
The Long Wait: Who is Obama GSA Nominee Martha Johnson?
On April 3, 2009, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Martha Johnson to be the next Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), an independent agency that provides procurement services to federal agencies, manages c... read more
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Who is David Strickland?
After failing to gain political support for the nomination of Charles “Chuck” Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), President Barack Obama turned to congressional aide Da... read more
Ambassador to Malta: Who Is Douglas Kmiec?
President Obama rewarded one of his most prominent conservative Catholic supporters by nominating Douglas W. Kmiec to be ambassador to Malta, a tiny Mediterranean island nation with an overwhelmingly Catholic population and little present-day stra... read more
Chair of the United States Access Board: Who Is Douglas Anderson?
Since March 2009, the elected Chair of the United States Access Board has been Douglas J. Anderson. The Board is an independent Federal agency that works to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. It operates with about thirty staff and... read more
Appalachian Regional Commission: Who is Earl Gohl, Jr.?
In nominating Earl F. Gohl, Jr. to serve as the federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, President Barack Obama played up Gohl’s years of experience in Pennsylvania state and local government. Left out of the November 16, 2009, ann... read more
Ambassador to Italy and San Marino: Who is David Thorne?
If appointing U.S. ambassadors was like song dedications, then the selection of David H. Thorne as envoy to Italy and San Marino would be akin to President Barak Obama proclaiming, “This one goes out to you, John Kerry.” Thorne, a Boston businessm... read more
Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Who Is David Kappos?
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the chief federal agency charged with bringing order to the confused and crisis-ridden field of patent law, has a new director. President Barack Obama turned to David Kappos, an engineer and attorney with more... read more
Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa: Who is David Huebner?
In an effort to calm gay rights supporters who have grown impatient with President Barack Obama’s dithering over revoking the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, David Huebner was chosen to serve as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Swor... read more